The 2006-07 “We Believe” Warriors will always have a special place in the hearts of Bay Area basketball fans. As we have learned over the past few days, it also has a very special place in the hearts of those who were a part of that team.
Matt Barnes played the first meaningful basketball of his career with that Warriors’ squad, and parlayed his key role into a successful NBA career. Ten years later, Barnes is back with Golden State, and the reunion has made both him, and another former member of that squad, emotional.
Barnes spoke with the Bay Area media in Chicago for the first time since re-joining the team on Tuesday, and said that when he broke the news to former teammate, and beloved Warrior in his own right, Stephen Jackson, the now retired forward began tearing up.
“It was huge,” Barnes said about his former teammates reaching out. “Baron (Davis) sent me a text. Me and (Stephen Jackson) talked at length. He said he teared up. This has always been a special place for us, this is the last place my mom saw me play, before she got her cancer in the 2008 season. A lot of special memories and relationships I built here. It’s just great to be back.”
Matt Barnes on the We Believe Warriors, His return to HSW and Stephen Jackson “tearing up” when he heard pic.twitter.com/brbXud1Oy8
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 2, 2017
Barnes and Jackson also exchanged a series of text messages after the news broke. Barnes posted the exchange on Instagram.
Barnes will be suited up and available for the Warriors clash with the Bulls on Wednesday evening.